Sandover Beach Memories by Emma St. Clair

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Jenna returns home to Sandover Beach to wrap up loose ends after her mother’s passing. Recovering from a divorce with a cheating husband and processing her grief about her mother, Jenna’s plate is already pretty full.
But then there’s the fact that her mother’s neighbours are the parents of her high school sweetheart and her high school nemesis, Jackson runs the local store. Jenna hates Jackson due to a high school misunderstanding. (Personally I think her judgement is a little off but okay).
This was a good book but I feel like the characters got feelings way too soon. Nonetheless I loved this little island so I will definitely be returning to see the other characters.
I loved the depiction of faith here and it wasn’t something I’ve seen before. Some parts had me crying. I was here for the characters tbh and the romance, while cute, was only secondary to me.
This book has an accurate portrayal of grief and loss which I really liked seeing.



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Powerless by Lauren Roberts

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a copy of this book from Jonathan Ball Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

I love love LOVED the idea of this book. But when I learnt it was going to be part of a series, I held off on reading it until now. (I am getting old and can no longer remember books in a series so I thought I was doing a good thing).

I devoured this book over the weekend, but while I loved it, this is the first book I’ve read after Sunrise on the Reaping… and let’s just say there’s a little book hangover happening right now.

That said, I really enjoyed the beginning of the worldbuilding- it had me hooked! I did get a bit bored with the princes, though, but the ending? OMIGOSH!!!

Powerless tells the story of a world where people are divided by the powers they do or don’t have. The Elites possess special powers, while the Ordinaries live in poverty, struggling to get by. Paedyn is an Ordinary, but her father has trained her as a Psychic so she can blend in and live safely. However, when Paedyn saves the prince of Ilya, she’s thrown into the Purging Trials- an event designed to showcase the Elites’ powers, which Paedyn doesn’t have. To top it off, there’s a hint of something brewing between her and the prince (or princes? I’m still unsure).

I’ve got Reckless waiting for me, but my eyes are a little tired from reading, so I can’t wait to dive into that one soon!



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Scarlett by Rachel Morgan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Scarlett has been on my list forever but I haven’t read it since it isn’t exactly a Creepy Hollow story. But I’ve been craving a good fantasy novel and Rachel Morgan has never let me down so I figured this would be a fun quick read.
I was sucked in! It had been long enough since I finished reading the Creepy Hollow series that I didn’t really remember Scarlett.
Scarlett is a siren who lived in the human world until she accidentally almost killed her boyfriend. She runs away and finds a new family as well as new aspects to her power.
I loved seeing her transition from a scared little girl to someone powerful.
I miss the Creepy Hollow universe and this book made me think it might be time to return there.



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Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I had little to no interest in this book until release day. I saw all the TikToks, had all the FOMO and then luckily stumbled across an audiobook on Everand (which btw I do NOT recommend, I kept forgetting everyone’s names). Finally a friend took pity on me and lent me her print copy.

I read this book with clear expectations and figured nothing would shock me. I knew who would win, what their life would look like afterwards, etc. But despite that, this book had surprises for me that I did NOT see coming. I cried at some parts (somehow it hit me harder this time that it was just kids in the arena).

After the last movie, I was a bit of a Snow sympathizer but about half an hour into the audiobook, I hated him (well done, Suzanne Collins). As the book continued, I wanted to kill him myself.

I sacrificed sleep, TikTok, meals and even let my Nintendo Switch die (something that hadn’t happened…EVER) because I was THAT invested in this book.

Just read the damn book. I have no one to discuss it with




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Sweet Valley High: Three Novels: Double Love, Secrets & Playing with Fire by Francine Pascal

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


While I absolutely loved this series as a teen, as an adult I find that Jessica is unbearable.

Nonetheless I persisted since I have a growing collection of these books and now I feel like I have no choice but to carry on.

These first 3 books of the Sweet Valley High series introduce us to the students of Sweet Valley High. Although TBH I’m just invested in the Wakefields and their drama. And somehow Jessica almost always seems to be the problem.

This was a fun but overdone book but I enjoyed it immensely. I wish I had Power Play to dive into that one next.



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All Dhal’d Up by Kamini Pather

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I received a copy of this book from Penguin Random House South Africa in exchange for a review.

When it comes to cookbooks, I have a problem that few people seem to understand.

Firstly I can never find Indian cookbooks. At least, not ones that reflect the way my family actually cooks. Secondly, there’s never a cookbook that is truly simple. I have little to no skill in the kitchen, and the Indian method of “just add some of this” doesn’t work for me.

I own four beginner cookbooks and all I’ve learned from them is various ways to make eggs.

So when I saw that Kamini Pather had a cookbook, I felt a spark of hope. Surely, she would get it?

The book was delivered two hours ago, and I devoured it eagerly. I’m a fan! There are several familiar recipes that are easy to follow, along with exciting fusion dishes I can’t wait to try. Finally- a cookbook that gets me!



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Wake-up Call by Diana G. Gallagher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I MIGHT be too old for this book.

But nonetheless I enjoyed it. Mostly.

When Salem “pranks” Sabrina for April Fools by telling her that her aunts are getting her a cellphone, she decides that instead of waiting for their permission, she’d get her own Other Realm cellphone.
The cellphone is great…until it starts ringing non-stop.

What bugged me about this book is I thought it was such bad judgement of both Sabrina and her aunts to involve the Other Realm in their problems (which is why I think I might have outgrown these books).

But I was desperate to return to the nostalgia of my childhood so I enjoyed this books even if the characters annoyed me a little.



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The Curated Closet: A Simple System for Discovering Your Personal Style and Building Your Dream Wardrobe by Anuschka Rees

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book changed my life.

Filled with super helpful tips that will help you declutter your wardrobe while building a collection of clothing that you will love (AND more importantly- actually use!).

I strongly recommend this book to anyone struggling with the dilemma of having “nothing to wear”.

There is a TON of work involved in this book but it is so worth it.

I have 4 cupboards…but mostly use gymwear or PJs (I’m a freelance writer). This book was the push I needed to get the closet I deserved and let go of clothes that I was keeping just because.





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The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Samantha Sweeting wants one thing in life- to become partner at her prestigious law firm.

She’s worked overtime, birthdays, given up holidays. The partnership is almost hers..until it isn’t,
She makes a major mistake that costs the company millions. Unable to handle seeing her dreams die, Samantha walks out.

She ends up on a train and then in the middle of nowhere. When she stops to ask for directions, she’s mistaken as an interviewee for a housekeeper position. One thing leads to another and Samantha doesn’t correct the error. Instead, she starts working as a housekeeper.

Samantha has absolutely no domestic skills and this is made clear from the very start.

What interested me about this book is that I felt like I could relate to it. With absolute no domestic skills, the first thing I did when I faced a career setback was start cooking. So it was fun to see someone else go through that strange transition.

Like most of Sophie Kinsella’s books, this was a funny read. It really pulled me in and I couldn’t go to sleep until I had finished this book.
I would give it 10 stars if I could because it was that good.

The characters were lively and entertaining, there’s some small town vibes which I always love and of course a hot love interest.

What more could you want?



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